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Prairie Swine Centre is an affiliate of the University of Saskatchewan
Prairie Swine Centre is grateful for the assistance of the George Morris Centre in developing the economics portion of Pork Insight.
Financial support for the Enterprise Model Project and Pork Insight has been provided by:
Behavioural effects of social mixing at different stocking densities in prepubertal lambs.
Posted in: Welfare by admin on January 1, 1999 | No Comments
Domestic animals' fear of humans and its effect on their welfare
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This review paper examines the issue of animal’s fear of humans and how it affects welfare. Sections include: the relationship between fear of humans and productivity; effect of aversive handling on fear and productivity; effect of gentle handling on fear and productivity; physiological effects of handling; effect of the stockperson on fear and productivity; effect of stockpersons’ attitudes; animals’ ability to discriminate stockpersons; and, solutions to fear of human problems. Differences among species are identified and discussed, including the sensory systems used and their ability to distinguish between people.
One century of genetic changes in pigs and the future needs
Posted in: Production by admin on | No Comments
The goal of this paper is to analyse one
century of pig breeding with societal needs in the background. It was found that during this time genetic changes have resulted. The main features are the progress in daily
gain (+100%) and in backfat thickness (-75%). During the last decade, genetic progress was accelerated
enormously by further specialisation and improved statistical methods (and computers), especially in
reproduction traits. At present, most European pig breeding programmes realise annual genetic progress for
daily gain of +20 g/day, lean meat % of +0.5% and litter size of +0.2 piglet/litter. In commercial pig breeding
programmes selection limits have not been reached yet. Nevertheless, there are experimental results that
indicate unintended side effects of the present breeding goals. In general, more genetic progress for a single
trait increases the potential risk for the biological balance of the pig. Clearly, the success of any pig breeding
programme next century will be judged by the consumer. Where a newly bred, or genetically modified,
variety of animals fails to provide something people are prepared to buy, the breeding programme will be
judged a failure. Next to quality of the product, animal integrity and welfare will also be judged. Only
improved production levels without affect on of health or metabolic balance of the animal seem to be
accepted by society.
Daylong Monitoring oof Odor and Gas Emissions from Animal Facilities
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Emision data for hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and odour were measured from a total of seven farm representing 1 poultry, 1 dairy and 5 swine operations. The process consisted of one day sampling at each site with samples being collected every two hours enusring a total of seven sets of data were collected during a 12 hour sampling period. Accoridng to this study, the nursery building has the highest emission rates for odour and hydrogen sulfide. The naturally ventilated swine finishing building has the highest ammonia emsission rate. The data also showed there was no significant differences in terms of the levels of ammonia nd hydrogen sulfide in the daily course for all the animal facilites studied. Ventilation rates play an important role in determining the emission rates of aerial poolutants from animal buildings.
A Manure Nutrient Profile of 100 Missouri Swine Lagoons
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One hundred mature swin lagoons were studied and analyzed for: toal nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, electrical conductivity, total solids, phoasphorus and potassium. Deep lagoons (20-25 ft) has average TKN levels of 1373 mg/L while shallow lagoons (8-12 ft) had TKN levels of725 mg/L. The study also found the variability of niotrogen and electric conductivity to be greater in shallow lagoons than deep lagoons. Deep lagoons exhibited nitrogen levels approximately twice that of shallow lagoons The coefficient of variation values for deep and shallow lagoons indicate significant risk in planning land receiving areas based on average lagoon nitrogen or phosphorus levels. Ammonia nitrogen/TKN levels are approximately equal for deep and shallow lagoons. Surface area to volume ratio appears to strongly influence the equilibrium concentration levels of nitrogen in deep versus shallow lagoons. N/P/K ratios for lagoon effluent and typical mid-west United States crops suggest phophorus will be over applied in most cases when nitrogen is used as the limiting factor. Selection on phosphorus as the limiting nutrient factor will increase thje land use requirements by a factor of 1.3 to 2.8 depending on the crops being grown.
A Better Understanding of Odour
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Odours generated from intensive livestock operations are growing in public concern and in many cases can limit location of newly built facilities. Recent work by Kenneth Adams of Reid Crowther studied the distribution of odour plumes generated from hog buildings. Odour plumes were determined to be very narrow, and dependant on wind and weather conditions. Information gathered from this study will assist engineers in using prevailing wind patterns to assess most suitable location for new swine buildings.
FarmFacts: Holding Pond Site Selection and Design
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Livestock operators may need to contain contaminated runoff from feedlot facilities, silage pits or manure piles to prevent surface water pollution. Control works consisting of diversion ditches/dikes and holding ponds may be needed to contain the runoff. Include holding ponds as part of the feedlot design, which incorporates proper pen slopes to provide good drainage and pen drying. Construct holding ponds in impervious soils, or use man-made materials or imported clay as a liner to provide ground water protection.
The site selection process for the facility and the holding pond is a step by step process. The cost to the developer (time and financial) will increase with each step along the path. The geotechnical nature of the site and regulatory requirements will influence the required commitment from the developer. All sites require pre-screening and initial soils evaluation. For some sites this work will identify the need for a detailed site investigation.
The contruction technique used for holding ponds will determine the effectiveness of the soil seal formed. Detailed engineering may recommend installation of sampling wells to monitor seepage from holding ponds and to determine the effect on ground water quality. A regular monitoring program will allow corrective action to be taken when necessary
Manure Management
Posted in: Prairie Swine Centre by admin on | No Comments